This comprehensive second edition inspires therapists to utilize clinical work to pragmatically address intersectional oppressions, lessen the burden of minority stress, and implement effective LGBTQ affirmative therapy.

A unique and important contribution to LGBTQ literature, this handbook includes both new and updated chapters reflecting cutting-edge intersectional themes like race, ethnicity, polyamory, and monosexual normativity. A host of expert contributors outline the best practices in affirmative therapy, inspiring therapists to guide LGBTQ clients into deconstructing the heteronormative power imbalances that undermine LGBTQ relationships and families. There is also an increased focus on clinical application, with fresh vignettes included throughout to highlight effective treatment strategies.

Couple and family therapists and clinicians working with LGBTQ clients, and those interested in implementing affirmative therapy in their practice, will find this updated handbook essential.

About the Author

Rebecca Harvey, PhD, is Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. She has been proudly queering family therapy practice, supervision, and training for over 25 years. Dr. Harvey is co-author of the book Nurturing Queer Youth: Family Therapy Transformed.

Megan J. Murphy, PhD, is Professor and Director of the Couple and Family Therapy Program at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana. She is co-editor with Dr. Lorna Hecker of Ethics and Professional Issues in Couple and Family Therapy (2nd edition).

Jerry J. Bigner, PhD, was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University, and was the editor of the Journal of GLBT Family Studies. He has had over 50 research publications and 20 chapters in texts relating to parent-child relations as well as gay and lesbian family issues.

Joseph L. Wetchler, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Marriage and Family Therapy at Purdue University Northwest. He formerly served as Editor of the Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy and as Associate Editor of the Journal of GLBT Family Studies.

Reviews

This Handbook is a tour de force of best thought and practice for affirmative therapy now as well as a story of how much has changed and how much still must, not just for LGBTQ couples and their families but for humanity. The Editors and authors grapple with the complexities that layer lives courageously lived within evolving densities of oppressions. The through lines of the clinically and conceptually sound chapters are a critique of heteronormativity, the importance of an intersectional analysis and the imperative of social justice for all. I highly recommend this wise and deeply felt book.

- Kaethe Weingarten, Ph.D.; Director, the Witness to Witness Program

Social justice meets psychotherapy in this timely innovative book. These diverse authors demonstrate how to identify and transform oppressive narratives about race, gender and sexuality interwoven not only in LGBTQ couple and family life but in training and supervision practices. The breath of content includes often neglected topics for LGBTQ clients such as sex therapy, elders, spirituality, and divorce. It is time to queer the field of couple and family therapy for clients of all races, gender, and sexual experiences. This book leads the way.

- Suzanne Iasenza, PhD.; author of Transforming sexual narratives: A relational approach to sex therapy

This comprehensive text should be required reading for every family therapist, psychologist, social worker, counsellor, and other mental health worker. It is superbly written, conveying complex ideas in a clear, thoughtful, practical and useful way. The book is a pleasure to read. It lays out a transformational perspective on the many complexities of LGBTQ families. The authors and editors share, as they say, an impatience with artifice and a love for the aspirational. Indeed they do. But beyond that, they provide an excellent roadmap for considering or more appropriately reconsidering all the families we see. They offer an expansive contextual perspective on intersectionality, resilience, and support from "outside the margins," with excellent case examples, thoughtful and practical clinical suggestions and a hopeful, resilience-focused orientation toward even the most complex and difficult case situations.

- Monica McGoldrick, MSW, PhD (h.c.); Director, Multicultural Family Institute; Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, RWJ Medical School, Rutgers University

The Handbook does full justice to the enormous diversity within the LGBTQ community. Each chapter is an eye-opening and rewarding reading experience. The book abounds with specific treatment guidelines and clinical case examples for practitioners. An impressive achievement!

- Robert-Jay Green, PhD; Distinguished Professor Emeritus, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University

Book Information
ISBN 9780367223878
Author Rebecca Harvey
Format Paperback
Page Count 508
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 857g